Campenheimer

This wasn't a movie mashup weekend; no Barbieheimer fans donning pink and coming out in droves, it was just a few of us brave souls facing torrential downpours and escaping for a few hours at "Theater Camp."

This was a delightful movie, reminding me of a production that came out twenty years earlier starring a then unknown Anna Kendrick simply called "Camp." 

 I was excited to see that film back then, inspired by Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills, a camp my cousin attended as a teenager. We visited him one summer and marveled at all the talent that surrounded us.

"Theater Camp" invited kids like me to a safe haven, where we weren't judged by our lack of  athleticism or our thrift shop wardrobes; a place where weirdness was embraced.

I was lucky to find a camp like that in suburban Philadelphia, where my bellowing voice landed me some coveted roles as a camper in the 1960's, and my creative weirdness earned me some respect from my peers--a respect that took the entire summer to find, but hey..it was good enough for me!..as a counselor in the 70's.

I totally related to the idea of penning original musicals--my forte at my own camp.  Diversity wasn't a thing back then but I'm glad it is now, even in a fictional version of camp, that welcomes talent in all colors, enthnicities, sexual orientations, and sizes. 

Ya gotta love those plus-sized dancers!

"Theater Camp" isn't going to sweep at the Oscars(if there even IS a telecast this year...I totally support the writers and actors and hope they are paid what they are worth in the not-too-distant future) but it was a fun summer movie filled a couple of plot holes but a whole lot of warmth and laughs..and TALENT.

These weekends are tailor-made for people like me....I started a terrific new series on Netflix, ("Sex Lives of College Girls") and finished a wonderful book, Steven Rowley's "The Guncle."

I also enjoyed international cuisine(Portuguese last night, at the impossible to get in"Lita" and a wonderful Indian restaurant tonight) and was grateful for lots of sun and lots of swim.

Life is good..especially in the good 'ole summertime!